Man Utd chief Woodward backing 'B' team push for Football League

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward would like to see 'B' teams introduced to the Football League.

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward would like to see 'B' teams introduced to the Football League.

Woodward reckons fielding a 'B' team in a lower league could be the answer to a lack of competitive football for younger players.

"If we could have a 'B' team playing it would solve a lot of the issues," Woodward told fanzine United We Stand. "The reserves do deliver some of the objectives, the system just isn't as good as it could be.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid have a competitive edge with their system. Ajax have got it - a team in the division below went bust a year ago, Ajax stepped in and now they are developing their players that way.

"You can look at different models, and what Spurs have done with Swindon. You can look at rotating players in the first team.

"There is no clear and obvious answer. If you buy a top 18-year-old, they could go straight in with the first team or they could go into the squad at number 25 or 26."